Mini Review: The Cellar in Evanston

By Penny Pollack

Published Nov. 16, 2009

Evanston, that most urban of suburbs, finally has a cool place for a bite and brew after the movie. A deep storefront decked with raw wood beams and pinpoint lighting, The Cellar—brought to you by the folks behind The Stained Glass Bistro—skillfully blends slick and hip with cozy and comfy. Maybe it’s the seating (a cushy couch here, glossy high-tops there), or the small plates (tender braised short ribs over marrow potatoes, Maryland crab cake buried under crispy frites), or the global beers (Goose Island Matilda, Orval Trappist Ale from Belgium). We like the casual-affordable approach to global dining so well, we might skip the movie altogether. 820 Clark St., Evanston; 847-425-5112.